June 2014 

NASA/CR-2014-218284

NIA Report No. 2014-0619

Finite Element Analysis of Composite Joint 

Configurations With Gaps and Overlaps

Ronald Krueger 

National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, Virginia 
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June 2014

NASA/CR-2014-218284

NIA Report No. 2014-0619

Analysis of Joint Configurations With Gaps and 

Overlaps

Ronald Krueger 

National Institute of Aerospace, Hampton, Virginia 
Available from:

NASA Center for AeroSpace Information

7115 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076-1320

443-757-5802

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constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE JOINT 

CONFIGURATIONS WITH GAPS AND OVERLAPS 

Ronald Krueger

*

National Institute of Aerospace 

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, USA

ABSTRACT

The goal of the current study is to identify scenarios for which thermal and moisture effects become 

significant in the loading of a composite structure. In the current work, a simple configuration was 

defined, and material properties were selected. A Fortran routine was created to automate the mesh 

generation process. The routine was used to create the models for the initial mesh refinement study. 

A combination of element length and width suitable for further studies was identified. Also, the 

effect of the overlap length and gap length on computed shear and through-thickness stresses along 

the bondline of the joints was studied for the mechanical load case. Further, the influence of 

neighboring gaps and overlaps on these joint stresses was studied and was found to be negligible. 

The results suggest that for an initial study it is sufficient to focus on one configuration with fixed 

overlap and gap lengths to study the effects of mechanical, thermal and moisture loading and 

combinations thereof on computed joint stresses. 

NOMENCLATURE

c Length of resin gap in joint

Eii Young’s modulus

Gij Shear modulus

GIc Mode I fracture toughness

GIIc Mode II fracture toughness

h Ply thickness

t Model/specimen thickness

Tg Glass transition temperature

T0 Stress free temperature

T0,dry Stress free temperature, dry

T0,wet Stress free temperature, wet

αi Coefficient of thermal expansion

β i Coefficient of moisture expansion (swelling coeff.)

δ Length of overlap in joint

γ ij Shear strains

 

*

 R. Krueger, National Institute of Aerospace, 100 Exploration Way, Hampton, VA, 23666. This work was performed at 

the Durability, Damage Tolerance and Reliability Branch, MS 188E, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, 

23681, USA

1
ε ii Normal strains

η Exponent of B-K failure criterion

ν ij Poisson’s ratio

ρ Density (specific weight)

σii Normal stresses

τ ij Shear stresses

BACKGROUND

Environmental factors that affect the performance of composite laminates include temperature, 

moisture content and hygrothermal history. Early studies showed that residual stress relaxation due 

to hygrothermal history altered the static mechanical strain necessary to cause matrix cracking in 

experiments [1]. Depending on material type and hygrothermal history, this effect was shown to 

either increase or decrease the resistance to matrix cracking. Matrix crack growth in laminates 

subjected to creep load and severe environments may require the development of viscoelastic failure 

criteria [1]. The viscoelastic response of laminated composites under the influence of mechanical 

and hygrothermal loads was studied analytically [2]. Application of the analysis included the effect 

of residual thermal stress relaxation upon creep in laminated composite plates under mechanically 

applied loads [3]. Generalized plane-strain finite elements were also formulated using linear 

viscoelastic theory. Analyses of changes in interlaminar stresses at the free edge of multidirectional 

laminates subjected to cyclic load conditions indicated that several variables can affect peak 

amplitude in interlaminar stresses and cycle-to-cycle variations in stress state. These influencing 

parameters were determined to be frequency, stress ratio, relative dwell time and environment [4].

PROBLEM OVERVIEW

An overview of a scenario where combined mechanical and thermal load effects become significant 

was discussed in detail in reference 1 and is presented in Figure 1. For the pure elastic case, the 

transverse residual stress in the ply is tensile and the stresses increase as the temperature drops from 

the stress free temperature T0,dry to an ambient value (see dashed red line along path 0 → 1). 

During moisture absorption, the transverse residual stress drops and may become compression (see 

dashed red line along path 2). An increase in temperature will increase the compressive stress (see 

dashed black line along path 3). The stress increases during moisture desorption (see dashed black 

line along path 4) and the cycle starts from the beginning (see dashed red line along path 1). A 

stress relaxation, however, may occur caused by accelerated viscoelastic effects due to an increase 

in temperature and moisture content (see solid red line along path 3’). As the temperature drops, the 

tensile transverse residual stress continues to increase beyond the original residual tensile stress (see 

solid red line path along 5) [1]. For the viscoelastic case, therefore, the presence of the thermal load

could make the stresses worse due to the effect of the previous creep.

These combined thermal and moisture effects may become significant in the loading of a composite 

fuselage structure where several individual components are connected with longitudinal joints, as 

shown in Figure 2. Since airframe manufactures have recently become interested in joint 

configurations, which may be designed with multiple overlaps and resin gaps as shown in Figure 3, 

it has become important to understand the stresses at the bondline. Overlap length, δ, and resin gap

size, c, shown in Figure 3a may also vary. As the overlap length, δ, approaches zero (δ → 0) the 

design resembles the traditional splice joint, as shown in Figure 3b.

2
The current study, therefore aims at identifying scenarios where thermal and moisture effects 

become significant in the loading of a composite structure. Linear and geometrically non-linear 

finite element analyses of simple and more complex examples are required first, to study the single 

and combined effects of mechanical, thermal and hygral loading on the computed strains and 

stresses. The results from this initial study of simple specimens and load scenarios will be used as 

guidance to define the next steps. These next steps may include additional analysis of more complex 

specimens under different load combinations and more advanced viscoelastic analysis, as well as 

testing.

The focus of the present work was to study the effect of overlap length and gap length on shear and 

through-thickness stresses along the bondline of staggered overlap joints using linear and 

geometrically non-linear finite element analyses. First, the material properties obtained from the 

literature are discussed. Second, the selected specimen configuration is introduced. Third, the finite 

element analysis is described, including a Fortran routine that was created to quickly generate twoand three-dimensional models of different configurations of interest. Fourth, the results of an initial 

mesh refinement study are discussed for the mechanical load case. Fifth, the effects of the overlap 

length and gap length on computed shear and through-thickness stresses at the bondline are 

examined. A summary and outlook for future steps are provided. The description of the Fortran 

routine and the required user input, as well as an Abaqus/Standard® input deck, are given in the 

appendix.

MATERIAL DATA

For the current study, material data for carbon/epoxy IM7/8552 were used since it is a commonly 

used material in the aerospace industry. Elastic constants, cure temperature and hygrothermal 

expansion coefficients for this material were collected from data available in the open literature [5-

20]. Details about the data gathered are discussed in appendix A. A recent discussion indicated that 

the stress free temperature may actually be higher than published Tg values [21, 22]. However, this 

may be process dependent and may require a separate investigation and separate material 

characterization. Additional material characterization may also become necessary to generate 

constants required as input data for viscoelastic finite element analysis. 

SELECTED CONFIGURATION

A simple configuration to study the effects of overlap (δ) and gap (c) lengths on overlap stresses 

is shown in Figure 4. This configuration represents the idealized local section of an overlap 

bounded by adjacent plies representative of the center section of a specimen. It is based on prior 

experience with similar analyses [21, 22]. For this simple configuration, a layup of [45, 90, -45, 

0]S was considered, where the center 0∘ plies were overlapped [23]. An overlap length, δ, varying 

between 6.35 mm and 63.5 mm and a gap size, c, varying between 1.27 mm and 12.7 mm were

proposed [23]. These dimensions are of interest to the aerospace industry based on manufacturing 

considerations for advanced tooling and hand-layup tolerances [22-23]. For modeling purposes, 

boundary conditions were considered such that the section is constrained at one end (u=v=0) and 

displacements (u=const.) are applied at the other, thereby approximating tensile loading commonly 

applied to such joints. This model was used first to perform a mesh refinement study to determine 

the degree of refinement adequate to capture the stress gradients in the overlap region as discussed 

later. Second, an investigation of the effects of changing the dimensions δ and c in the range 

3
mentioned above were investigated. Two-dimensional plane-strain models were used first for linear 

and geometrically non-linear finite element analysis. 

A more complex configuration with 16 plies [45, 90, -45, 0]2s and several staggered overlaps and 

gaps is shown in Figure 5. This configuration may be investigated at a later point including threedimensional finite element analysis as well as specimen manufacturing and testing. Details of the 

specimen configuration such as layup, length and width would be defined after a successful study of 

the simple configuration shown in Figure 4.

ANALYSIS

Finite element modeling

The commercial finite element software Abaqus/Standard® [24] was used to analyze the mechanical 

load cases and is capable of handling the thermal, moisture and combined load cases as well. For the 

current study only two-dimensional analyses were performed using higher order plane-stress CPS8 

solid elements to model the specimen.

For more advanced analysis, a quasi-static procedure in Abaqus/Standard® may be used to analyze 

viscoelastic material and two-layer viscoplastic material behavior. The quasi-static procedure can 

also be used to analyze quasi-static creep and swelling problems, which occur over fairly long time 

periods (rate-dependent plasticity: creep and swelling).

Fortran routine for automatic mesh generation

A FORTRAN routine was developed that will automatically create an Abaqus/Standard® [24] input 

deck (.inp file) and thus simplify the variation in dimensions and mesh size for specimen types of 

interest. Specimen dimensions and material data including ply orientation and stacking sequence are 

provided by the user in a simple data file that is read by the routine at the beginning of the 

execution. Gaps are modeled by using the resin material properties in the respective regions of the 

finite element mesh. Examples of two-dimensional models of specimen types that can be created are 

shown in Figure 6. The mesh density in the thickness direction and locally in the length direction 

can easily be changed, which allows for mesh refinement and convergence studies. Different 

geometries of interest can also be generated such as a single lap-shear specimen shown in Figure 6b 

- 6d or a double lap-shear specimen as shown in Figure 6e. By changing the Abaqus/Standard®

element type and specifying additional input parameters for the third dimension, the meshes shown 

in Figures 7 can easily be created. An example mesh for the single lap-shear specimen is shown in 

Figure 7a. In addition to changing the mesh density in the thickness direction and locally in the 

length direction, the routine also allows mesh refinement across the width of the specimen as shown 

in Figure 7b for the example of a double lap-shear specimen. The desired input for mechanical loads 

and boundary conditions can also be generated automatically as shown in Figure 8. An example of 

the prescribed displacements and fixed boundary conditions is shown in Figure 8a. Appropriate 

Abaqus/Standard® input for the thermal and moisture distributions, which are represented as fields, 

can also be generated. Currently only constant fields over the entire domain, as shown in Figures 8b 

and c, can be automatically generated. The details of the routine and a brief guide on its use are 

provided in appendix B. An example for user input is also provided together with a 

Abaqus/Standard® input file that was created using the routine.

4
Generalized plane-strain approach

Several assumptions are possible when using two-dimensional finite element models. A plane-stress 

model enforces the out-of-plane stresses to be zero (σzz=τxz= τyz=0) and allows the displacement to 

be the free parameter. The plane-strain model, on the other hand, enforces the out-of-plane strains to 

be zero (εzz=γxz= γyz=0), which excessively constrains the plies. The effect is most marked for 45° 

plies because of their high in-plane Poisson’s ratio, while it is small for 0° and 90° plies. Hence, the 

two dimensional plane-stress and plane-strain conditions may serve as upper and lower limits 

compared to the three-dimensional solution [25]. 

A different approach to account for three-dimensional width effects was suggested in reference 26

such that modified material properties are entered in a two-dimensional model to create a 

generalized plane-strain case. The generalized plane-strain case is regarded as an intermediate state 

between plane-strain and plane-stress, and assumes that the out-of-plane normal strain εzz=-νLεxx, 

where νL is the laminate Poisson’s ratio, and the shear strain γxz= γyz=0. With these assumptions, ply 

stiffnesses were calculated for each ply angle in the specimen and entered as material properties for 

the two-dimensional plane-stress models. Calculated properties are listed in Table II.

Application of load and boundary conditions

The load and boundary conditions shown in Figures 4 and 8 were used to simulate a region that is 

part of a larger section but would also mimic the condition of a test specimen clamped in hydraulic 

grips with applied constant displacement. The displacement was applied to the model such that the 

specimen was subjected to an axial tensile strain εxx=0.01. It was planned to apply a constant 

temperature over the entire specimen (as shown in Figure 8b) and use the difference between cure 

and room temperature (ΔT=157 K) as input. For the moisture loading, a constant moisture 

distribution over the specimen was assumed (as shown in Figure 8c) to avoid the calculation of 

moisture diffusion through the thickness at this point. A literature study suggests that 1% increase in 

mass or weight due to moisture absorption is a reasonable assumption to simulate a saturated 

condition in the specimen [27-28].

Current finite element model

The configuration selected earlier (shown in Figure 4a) was used for mesh refinement studies. For 

this first set of analyses, an overlap length of δ=25.4 mm and a gap length of c=2.54 mm were 

chosen. Abaqus/Standard® plane-stress CPS8 solid elements were used to model a section that was 

3δ=76.2 mm long, as shown in Figure 9a. A local displacement u=0.762 mm (0.03”) was applied at 

the left edge of the model to simulate an axial strain εxx=0.01 in the section, modeled as shown in 

Figure 9b. The right edges of the section were fixed as shown in Figure 9c. The detail of the area of 

interest is shown in Figure 10 where the gap is modeled as a region c=2.54 mm (0.1”) with resin 

properties. The element length, Δx, shown in Figure 10b was varied during the refinement study. 

The paths defined in Abaqus/Standard® along which the stresses were computed (results shown 

later) were also included in Figure 10b (light blue lines). Due to a change in material properties, the 

computed stresses differ from one side of the path to the other when crossing the interface between 

plies. Therefore, stresses had to be computed for both sides of an interface for the same path, as 

shown in Figures 10c and d.

The mesh refinement study was performed to determine the mesh required for subsequent analysis. 

Meshes were refined locally in the length and thickness directions as shown in Figure 11. A 

selection of local meshes used in the area of interest are shown in Figure 11. The element length Δx

5
was varied between Δx=0.847mm for the initial coarse mesh, shown in Figure 11b, and 

Δx=0.026mm for the most refined mesh, shown in Figure 11e. Simultaneously, the element height 

Δy was varied between Δy=0.15mm (one ply thickness) for the initial coarse mesh shown in Figure 

11b and Δy=0.025mm for the most refined mesh, shown in Figure 11e. 

The element length and height combinations modeled were:

• Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm – Figure 11b 

• Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm – Figure 11c 

• Δx=0.212mm, Δy=0.05mm

• Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm – Figure 11d 

• Δx=0.053mm, Δy=0.03mm

• Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm – Figure 11e 

Based on the results of the mesh refinement study (discussed in the next section) element 

dimensions Δx=0.026mm and Δy=0.025mm where chosen for the remainder of the study. To 

determine the effects of overlap length, δ, and a gap length, c, three additional configurations were 

studied:

• δ=25.4 mm, c=1.27 mm

• δ=25.4 mm, c=12.7 mm

• δ=6.35 mm, c=2.54 mm

Another model was created to simulate the case of multiple overlaps and gaps. The overlap length 

of δ=25.4 mm and a gap length of c=2.54 were held fixed but two additional overlaps and gaps were 

added to the configuration as show in Figure 12 to study if the presence of neighboring overlaps and 

gaps had a major effect on the results calculated for the initial 0∘ overlap in the center. A minimal 

influence of neighboring overlaps and gaps would indicate that, for a preliminary study, it is 

sufficient to study the effects of mechanical, thermal and moisture load on a simple configuration 

with one overlap, as shown in Figure 4a. 

ANALYSIS RESULTS

Mesh refinement study

Computed deformation

The deformed finite element model is shown in Figure 13 for an applied displacement u=0.762 mm 

which was used to simulate an axial tensile strain εxx=0.01. The deformation of the entire section is 

shown in Figure 13a where the undeformed outline is depicted as a dashed line. The local 

deformations shown in Figures 13b to 13e correspond to the refined meshes shown previously in 

Figures 11b to 11e. The results suggest that a refinement through the thickness may also be required 

to capture the local deformation in the -45° ply above the resin region.

Computed stresses

Stresses were plotted along the pre-defined paths shown in Figure 10. Due to a change in material 

properties, the computed stresses differ on the sides of the path when crossing the interface between 

plies. Therefore, stresses were always plotted for both sides of an interface for the same path. For 

6
the current study, the focus is on the shear stresses τxy and the through-thickness stresses σyy plotted 

on both interfaces along path 2. Path 2 was selected because the axial load, which is carried in the 

individual 0° plies, is transferred via shear along the overlap and therefore high stresses are expected 

in this region. However, further investigation is necessary to determine whether the stress along 

paths 1 and 3 could become critical under certain load conditions [21, 22].

The computed shear stresses τxy and through-thickness stresses σyy along path 2 are plotted in 

Figures 14 through 17. The results indicate that refined meshes are required to fully capture the 

steep stress gradient in the vicinity of the overlap. The zone of computed high stresses and gradients 

is small and extends to about 2.5 to 3 mm on either side of the juncture of the resin zone and the 

terminated 0° ply (x=2.54 mm). Farther away from this location, coarser meshes yield the same 

results as fine meshes. Shear stresses τxy quickly drop to zero as expected, as shown in Figures 14 

and 16. The through-thickness stresses σyy reach a constant value outside this region, as shown in 

Figures 15 and 17. Based on these results, element dimensions Δx=0.026mm and Δy=0.025mm 

were chosen for the remainder of the study for the resin gap and the zone of peak stresses. Larger 

elements were used in the area where constant stresses were observed. For the current study, only 

trends were monitored and computed stress values were not compared to any failure stress as 

suggested in references 21 and 22. 

Computed stresses for linear and geometric non-linear analysis

A comparison between stresses computed from geometrically non-linear analysis and results 

obtained from linear analysis are shown in Figures 18 through 21. Except for the through-thickness

stresses, σyy, along the upper interface of path 2 (shown in Figure 19), the results follow the same 

trend and are in excellent agreement. The through-thickness stresses σyy in the top 0° ply computed 

from the geometrically non-linear analysis decrease close to the 0° ply/resin boundary (green 

crosses) while the results from linear analysis sharply increase (red Xs). Away from the 0° ply/resin 

boundary, both results are in excellent agreement with each other. This discrepancy requires further 

investigation. However, based on the excellent agreement at all other locations, it was decided to 

use linear analysis for the remainder of the study since it allows simple superposition of results.

Effects of overlap and gap lengths on computed bondline stresses 

To determine the effects of overlap length, δ, and gap length, c, additional configurations were 

analyzed. The individual results for computed shear stresses τxy and through-thickness stresses σyy

along path 2 are plotted in Figures 22 through 37. The left edge of the resin pocket was chosen as 

the x=0 location for all plots as above. The results confirm that to the right of the 0° ply/resin 

boundary and to the left of the 45° ply/resin boundary (x<0) the computed shear stresses τxy decrease 

to zero and the through-thickness stresses σyy reach a constant value over a short distance, x. The 

study therefore focused on the results at the zone near the 0° ply/resin boundary where the 

computed stresses have the highest values, as suggested in references 21 and 22. 

A comparison between stresses from all configurations is shown in Figures 38 through 41. The 0° 

ply/resin boundary was chosen as the x=0 location for the plots so that all stress profiles could be 

combined in one graph for comparison. The computed shear stresses τxy shown in Figures 38 and 40 

are in excellent agreement for all configurations considered. Varying the overlap length, δ, and gap 

length, c, did not affect the results. The computed through-thickness stresses σyy plotted in 

Figures 39 and 41 exhibit some sensitivity, in particular for the small values of the overlap length, 

δ. For the short overlap length, some transverse deflection of the specimen was observed which may 

7
cause the difference in computed through-thickness stresses σyy. This difference requires further 

investigation. Nevertheless, the results suggest that for an initial study, it is sufficient to focus on 

one configuration with a fixed overlap length, δ, and a gap length, c, to study the effects of 

mechanical, thermal and moisture loading and combinations thereof which is in agreement with 

previous findings [21, 22].

SUMMARY

The objective of the current study was to identify scenarios in which thermal and moisture effects 

become significant in the loading of a composite structure. In the current work, a simple 

configuration was defined, and material properties were selected. A Fortran routine was created to 

automate the mesh generation process. The routine was used to create the models for the initial 

mesh refinement study. A combination of element length and width suitable for further studies was 

identified. Also the effect of the overlap length and gap length on computed stresses at the overlap

interface and resin gap was studied for the mechanical load case. Further, the influence of 

neighboring gaps and overlaps on the results was studied and was found to be negligible. The results 

suggest that for an initial study, it is sufficient to focus on one configuration with a fixed overlap 

length and a gap length to study the effects of mechanical, thermal and moisture loading and 

combinations thereof on overlap stresses. A user guide and example input values, as well as a listing 

of an Abaqus/Standard® input file, are provided in the appendix.

FUTURE STEPS

With a configuration selected, the mesh refinement study complete, and a critical area identified, the 

study now needs to focus on identifying scenarios where thermal and moisture effects become 

significant in the loading of a composite structure. Linear and geometrically non-linear finite 

element analyses need to be carried out to study the effects of

1. Mechanical load only

2. Thermal load only

3. Moisture only

4. Combination of mechanical load + moisture

5. Combination of mechanical load + thermal load

6. Combination of thermal load + moisture

7. Combination of all three load cases

Depending on the results of the initial analyses, more advanced analyses may be required. These 

analyses may include

• Viscoelastic analysis to determine where the stress can be additive

• Time dependent material properties

• More complex example geometries

• Specific structural geometries and load histories that have been identified to be a potential 

problem.

The specimen configurations to be manufactured and tested, as well as the test matrix, should be 

decided upon after the successful completion of the proposed analyses.

8
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was performed under Interagency Agreement IA1-1093, DTFACT-10-X-00009 

between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. Lynn Pham (FAA) served as the technical monitor. 

The author would like to thank James Reeder, Isabelle Paris and D.M. Hoyt for their input and 

valuable discussions.

9
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[21] D.M. HOYT, NSE Composites, personal communication. 

[22] I.L. PARIS, Bombardier, personal communication. 

[23] L. ILCEWICZ, FAA, personal communication. 

[24] Abaqus/Standard® 6.12 User's Manual, Dassault Systèmes Simulia Corporation, Providence, RI, USA, 2012.

[25] R. KRUEGER, I. L. PARIS, T. K. O'BRIEN, and P. J. MINGUET, “Comparison of 2D Finite Element Modeling 

Assumptions with Results from 3D Analysis for Composite Skin-Stiffener Debonding,” Composite Structures, vol. 57, 

pp. 161-168, 2002.

[26] D. M. HOYT, S. H. WARD, and P. J. MINGUET, “Strength and Fatigue Life Modeling of Bonded Joints in 

Composite Structure,” Journal of Composite Technology and Research, vol. 24, pp. 190-210, 2002.

[27] D. S. CAIRNS and D. F. ADAMS, “Moisture and Thermal Expansion of Composite Materials,” University of 

Wyoming UWME-DR-101-104-1, 1981.

[28] Polymer Matrix Composites: Guidelines for Characterization of Structural Materials, Composite Materials 

Handbook (CMH-17) Volume 1, SAE International, 2012

10
TABLE I. MATERIAL PROPERTIES USED FOR CURRENT STUDY 

IM7/8552 Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy Prepreg

fiber volume approximately 60%, ply thickness h=0.15 mm

E11 = 161 GPa E22 = 11.38 GPa E33 = 11.38 GPa

ν12 = 0.32 ν13 = 0.32 ν23 = 0.45

G12 = 5.2 GPa G13 = 5.2 GPa G23 = 3.9 GPa

Glass transition temperature

Tg,dry = 177 °C Tg,wet =143 °C

Coefficients of thermal expansion

α1 =-9 10-7 1/°C α2 =2.88 10-5 1/°C α3 =2.88 10-5 1/°C

Coefficients of moisture expansion

β1 = 0.0 1/%M β2 = 3310 10-6 1/%M

TABLE II. MATERIAL PROPERTIES USED FOR 2D FE ANALYSES

IM7/8552 Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy Prepreg, ply thickness h=0.15 mm

Input properties calculated using Minguet’s generalized plane-strain approach [27] 

0° - ply

E11 = 161 GPa E22 = 14.39 GPa G12 = 5.2 GPa

ν12 = 0.467

90° - ply

E11 = 9.81 GPa E22 = 12.42 GPa G12 = 3.9 GPa

ν12 = 0.461 

±45° - ply

E11 = 32.4 GPa E22 = 13.8 GPa G12 = 4.55 GPa

ν12 = 0.464

11
Figure 1. A schematic diagram of viscoelastic changes in the stress free temperature due to 

environmental history [1].

0 Initial transverse residual stress is tensile

1 Transverse residual stress increases as temperature drops to an ambient value 

2 Transverse residual stress drops due to moisture absorption and becomes compressive

3 Compressive stress increases as temperatures increases

3' Stress relaxation caused by accelerated viscoselastic effects due to increase in temperature and 

moisture content 

4 Desorption of moisture

5 A drop in temperature results in an increase in original tensile residual stress

temperature T0, wet

transvers ply residual stress

T0,dry T0

elastic

viscoelastic

T 3 vis

1

2

4

5

0

3'

12
Figure 2. Fuselage components with longitudial joints.

bondline

Figure 3. Joint configurations with overlaps and gaps.

δ

as δ0, splice joint

c

b. Splice joint. 

a. Staggering of overlaps.

δ: overlap

c: resin gap

13
x,u

y,v

IM7/8552

h=0.15 mm

6.35 mm ≤ δ ≤ 63.5 mm

1.27 mm ≤ c ≤ 12.7 mm

t=1.2 mm

δ

c

Figure 4. Simple configuration to study the effects of overlap and gap lengths 

and peform mesh refinement.

IM7/8552

h=0.15 mm

Figure 5. More complex configuration of staggered overlaps and gaps.

c

19 mm ≤ 3δ ≤ 190 mm 

u=const. u=v=0

θ1= 45°

θ2= 90°

θ3=-45°

θ4= 0°/gap/-45°

θ5=-45°/gap/0°

θ6=-45°

θ7= 90°

θ8= 45°

t

h

θ1

θ2

θ3

θ4

θ5

θ7 θ6

θ8

θ1 = 45°

θ2 = 90°

θ3 =-45°

θ4 = 0°

θ5 = 45°

θ6 = 90°

θ7 =-45°

θ8 = 0°

θ9 = 0°

θ10=-45°

θ11= 90°

θ12= 45°

θ13= 0°

θ14=-45°

θ15= 90°

θ16= 45°

6.35 mm ≤ δ ≤ 63.5 mm

1.27 mm ≤ c ≤ 12.7 mm

t=2.4 mm

c δ

102 mm ≤ 16δ ≤ 1020 mm 

 45°

 90°

-45°

 0°

dimensions not to scale

dimensions not to scale

14
b. Single lap-shear specimen.

Figure 6. Two-dimensional finite element models created by FORTRAN routine.

c. Single lap-shear specimen with increased overlap.

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

a. Mesh for initial study of configurations in Figures 4 and 5.

x,u

y,v

d. Single lap-shear specimen with increased arm thickness.

e. Double lap-shear specimen.

15
a. Single lap-shear specimen.

Figure 7. Three-dimensional finite element model created by FORTRAN routine.

x,u

y,v

z,w

b. Double lap-shear specimen.

x,u

y,v

z,w

16
Figure 8. Load, boundary conditions and field input created by FORTRAN routine.

a. Boundary conditions and mechanical load.

b. Thermal load case.

c. Moisture load case.

ΔT=157K=const.

difference between cure and room temperature

c=0.01 (1% mass/weight)=saturation

moisture diffusion through the thickness of the 

specimen not computed at this point

boundary conditions chosen to simulate test

specimen in grips

u=0

v=0

z=0

u=const

v=0

z=0

x,u

y,v

z,w

x,u

y,v

z,w

x,u

y,v

z,w

17
a. Section modeled.

Figure 9. Finite element model.

b. Local detail of left edge and boundary condition.

c. Local detail of right edge and boundary condition.

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

u=v=0

u=0.762mm (0.03")

v=0

3δ=76.2mm (3.0")

u calculated to generate global axial strain εxx=0.01

18
a. Section modeled.

Figure 10. Definition of paths for stress plots.

x,u

y,v

b. Local detail of resin region c and ply overlap δ.

Δx Δx

45°

90°

-45°

0°

resin

0°

-45°

90°

45°

c=2.54mm (0.1") δ=25.4mm (1.0")

3δ=76.2mm (3.0")

path 1

path 3

path 2

distance x 

along path x=0 x=2.54

path 2

c. Path 2 on upper interface.

d. Path 2 on lower interface.

path 2

resin 0°

0°

19
a. Section modeled.

Figure 11. Finite element meshes used for mesh refinement study.

b. Local detail of coarse mesh Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm.

Δx

x,u

y,v Δy

c. Local detail of coarse mesh Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm.

d. Local detail of coarse mesh Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm.

Δx

Δy

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

Δx

Δy

e. Local detail of coarse mesh Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm.

x,u

y,v

Δx

Δy

x,u

y,v

20
u=const.

δ

c c

3δ=76.2 mm

δ=25.4 mm

c=2.54 mm

3δ=76.2 mm

Figure 12. Specimen configuration with multiple overlaps.

dimensions not to scale

c c

δ δ

c c

θ1= 45°

θ2= 90°

θ3=-45°

θ4= 0°/gap/-45°

θ5=-45°/gap/0°

θ6=-45°

θ7= 90°

θ8= 45°

21
a. Deformed section modeled.

Figure 13. Deformed finite element model.

undeformed outline

b. Local detail of deformed model for coarse mesh Δx=0.847mm.

x,u

y,v

c. Local detail of deformed model for Δx=0.423mm.

d. Local detail of deformed model for Δx=0.106mm.

e. Local detail of deformed model for refined mesh Δx=0.026mm.

u=0.762mm (0.03")

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

x,u

y,v

22
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm

Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm

Δx=0.212mm, Δy=0.05mm

Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm

Δx=0.053mm, Δy=0.03mm

Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 15. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm

Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm

Δx=0.212mm, Δy=0.05mm

Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm

Δx=0.053mm, Δy=0.03mm

Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 14. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

23
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm

Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm

Δx=0.212mm, Δy=0.05mm

Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm

Δx=0.053mm, Δy=0.03mm

Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 17. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

0

100

200

300

400

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

Δx=0.847mm, Δy=0.15mm

Δx=0.423mm, Δy=0.075mm

Δx=0.212mm, Δy=0.05mm

Δx=0.106mm, Δy=0.0375mm

Δx=0.053mm, Δy=0.03mm

Δx=0.026mm, Δy=0.025mm

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 16. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

24
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

geometric nonlinear analysis

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 19. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

geometric nonlinear analysis

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 18. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

25
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

geometric nonlinear analysis

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 21. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0

geometric nonlinear analysis

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 20. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

26
0

400

800

1200

1600

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 23. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 22. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

27
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 25. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 24. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

28
0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 27. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 26. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

29
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 29. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 28. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm.

path 2 along upper interface

-45° ply resin 0° ply

30
0

400

800

1200

1600

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 31. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 30. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

31
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 33. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 32. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

32
0

400

800

1200

1600

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 35. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for multiple overlaps.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 34. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for mutiple overlaps.

-45° ply resin 0° ply

path 2 along upper interface

33
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 37. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for multiple overlaps.

path 2 along upper interface

-45° ply resin 0° ply

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

linear analysis

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 36. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for multiple overlaps.

path 2 along upper interface

-45° ply resin 0° ply

34
0

400

800

1200

1600

-1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm

δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm

δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm, multiple overlaps

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 39. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for all configurations studied.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm

δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm

δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm, multiple overlaps

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 38. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in upper 0° ply interface for all configurations studied.

resin 0° ply path 2 along upper interface

35
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

-1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm

δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm

δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm, multiple overlaps

distance along path x, mm

stress σ

yy, 

N/mm2

Figure 41. Stress σ

yy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for all configurations studied.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

-100

0

100

200

300

400

500

-1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

δ=25.4mm, c=2.54mm

δ=25.4mm, c=1.27mm

δ=25.4mm, c=12.7mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm

δ=6.35mm, c=2.54mm, multiple overlaps

distance along path x, mm

stress τ

xy, 

N/mm2

Figure 40. Stress τ

xy

 along path 2 in lower 0° ply interface for all configurations studied.

resin 0° ply path 2 along lower interface

36
APPENDIX A: SELECTION OF MATERIAL DATA

A study was performed to gather material data published in the open literature. The goal was to 

obtain a complete set of input data for one material which could be used in a finite element analysis. 

The material set should include the ply thickness, h, the elastic moduli, Eii, Gij, and νij, the glass 

transition temperature or stress free temperature, Tg, as well as the hygrothermal coefficients of 

expansion αi. and βi. None of the sources queried [5-22] provided a full set of data for one material. 

The most complete data sets were found for IM7/8552 listed in Table A-I. The data in the last 

column (boldface blue font) were selected for the current study. The pooled data are listed in the 

right column of Table A-I (boldface blue) and are identical to the values shown in Table I. Data for 

other materials are listed in Tables A-II through A-IV for completeness. The coefficients for 

moisture expansion, βi, for IM7/8552 could not be found in the open literature. Therefore, the data 

for IM7/8551-7 listed in Table A-IV were used together with the Tg for that material (highlighted in 

boldface blue) and included in the right column of Table A-I to make up a complete set of input 

data. 

TABLE A-I. MATERIAL PROPERTIES FOR IM7/8552 FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES 

Property [5] [6] [7] [8] [9,11] [9,11] [10] [12, 13] Selected

data

Fiber Vol. % 59.1 60 57.4 60.3 57.7 57.3

h [mm] 0.15 0.125 0.125 0.185 0.152 0.131 0.183 0.15

E11 [GPa] 150 161 171.4 165 162 164 162 161

E22 [GPa] 10.7 11.38 9.08 9.00 12 8.97 11.38

E33 [GPa] 10.7 11.38 9.00 9.3 11.38

ν12 0.33 0.32 0.32 0.34 0.311 0.316 0.32

ν13 0.33 0.32 0.34 0.32

ν23 0.45 0.45 0.5 0.475 0.45

G12 [GPa] 4.8 5.2 5.3 5.6 4.4 5 4.7 5.2

G13 [GPa] 4.8 5.2 5.6 5.2

G23 [GPa] 3.4 3.9 2.8 2.3 3.9

GIc [kJ/m2] 0.212 0.277 0.277 0.212

GIIc[kJ/m2] 0.774 0.788 0.788 0.774

η 2.1 1.634 2.1

Tg (dry) [°C] ΔT=155 ΔT=154 177 200 200 208 177++

Tg (wet) [°C] 143 154 154 161 143

α 1 [1/°C] -9 10-7 -5.5 10-6 -1 10-6 -9 10-7

α 2 [1/°C] 2.88 10-5 2.5 10-5 1.8 10-5 2.88 10-5

α 3 [1/°C] 2.88 10-5 1.8 10-5 2.88 10-5

β 1 [1/%M] 0 

β 2 [1/%M] 3310 10-6

ρ [g/cm3] 1.55 1.58 1.58 1.57 1.58 1.55

[g/m2] 190 160 190

 

*The material properties are given with reference to the ply coordinate axes where index 11 denotes the ply principal 

axis that coincides with the direction of maximum in-plane Young’s modulus (fiber direction). Index 22 denotes the 

direction transverse to the fiber in the plane of the lamina and index 33 the direction perpendicular to the plane of the 

lamina.

37
TABLE A-II. MATERIAL PROPERTIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES

Property [14] [15]

AS4/8552

[16, 17] 

grph/epxy

[1] 

IM6/3501-6

[3] T300/F155

Fiber Vol. % 57 57

h [mm] 0.127

E11 [GPa] 135 149.2 127.3

E22 [GPa] 11 8.8 7.9

E33 [GPa]

ν12 0.301 0.34 0.29

ν13

ν23 0.42 0.42

G12 [GPa] 5.8 4.5 3.5

G13 [GPa]

G23 [GPa] 3.1 2.8

GIc [kJ/m2] 

GIIc[kJ/m2] 

η

Tg (dry) [°C] 215 177++ 177++

171.1¶

121++

119.3¶

Tg (wet) [°C]

α 1 [1/°C] 0 6 10-7 -0.41 10-6 -0.54 10-6 0.36 10-6

α 2 [1/°C] 3 10-5 2.86 10-5 26.8 10-6 30.6 10-6 27.9 10-6

α 3 [1/°C] 3 10-5

β 1 [1/%M] 0 0 0 

β 2 [1/%M] 5560 10-6 2860 10-6 2530 10-6 

ρ [g/cm3] 

[g/m2]

 

*The material properties are given with reference to the ply coordinate axes where index 11 denotes the ply principal 

axis that coincides with the direction of maximum in-plane Young’s modulus (fiber direction). Index 22 denotes the 

direction transverse to the fiber in the plane of the lamina and index 33 the direction perpendicular to the plane of the 

lamina.

+

To conform to experimental observations, it is assumed there is no expansion below 0.4% absorbed moisture [15] ++cure temperature

¶stress-free temperature

38
TABLE A-III. MATERIAL PROPERTIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES 

Property [1] 

IM7/8551-7

[3] 

GY70/339

[3] 

T300/934

Fiber Vol. % 57

h [mm]

E11 [GPa] 151.6 290 145

E22 [GPa] 7.9 6.1 10.3

E33 [GPa]

ν12 0.34 0.31 0.29

ν13

ν23 0.42

G12 [GPa] 3.9 4.1 4.8

G13 [GPa]

G23 [GPa] 2.6

GIc [kJ/m2] 

GIIc[kJ/m2] 

η

Tg (dry) [°C] 177++

151.7¶

Tg (wet) [°C]

α 1 [1/°C] 0.36 10-6 -0.72 10-6 -0.09 10-6

α 2 [1/°C] 28.8 10-6 25.2 10-6 29.7 10-6

α 3 [1/°C] 

β 1 [1/%M] 0 

β 2 [1/%M] 3310 10-6 +

5400 10-6 +5400 10-6 

ρ [g/cm3] 

[g/m2]

 

*The material properties are given with reference to the ply coordinate axes where index 11 denotes the ply principal 

axis that coincides with the direction of maximum in-plane Young’s modulus (fiber direction). Index 22 denotes the 

direction transverse to the fiber in the plane of the lamina and index 33 the direction perpendicular to the plane of the 

lamina.

+

To conform to experimental observations, it is assumed there is no expansion below 0.4% absorbed moisture [15] ++cure temperature

¶stress-free temperature

39
TABLE A-IV. MATERIAL PROPERTIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES 

Property [18, 19] 

T300/5208

[18, 19]

AS4/3501

[20] 

IM7/8551-7

Fiber Vol. %

h [mm] 0.127

E11 [GPa] 165.5

E22 [GPa] 8.3

E33 [GPa]

ν12 0.18

ν13 9.3 10-3

ν23

G12 [GPa] 6.2

G13 [GPa]

G23 [GPa]

GIc [kJ/m2] 

GIIc[kJ/m2] 

η

Tg (dry) [°C] 177

Tg (wet) [°C]

α 1 [1/K] 0.02 10-6 -0.3 10-6 -0.04 10-6

α 2 [1/K] 22.5 10-6 28.1 10-6 18 10-6

α 3 [1/K] 

β 1 [1/M] 0.0 0.0 0.01

β 2 [1/M] 0.6 0.44 0.35

ρ [g/cm3] 1.6 1.5

[g/m2]

 

*The material properties are given with reference to the ply coordinate axes where index 11 denotes the ply principal 

axis that coincides with the direction of maximum in-plane Young’s modulus (fiber direction). Index 22 denotes the 

direction transverse to the fiber in the plane of the lamina and index 33 the direction perpendicular to the plane of the 

lamina.

40
APPENDIX – B: FINITE ELEMENT MESH GENERATION

Jointmesh - A Fortran based routine to generate Abaqus/Standard® input decks for 

configurations with overlaps and gaps

A FORTRAN routine (jointmesh.f) was developed, which allows the automatic creation of an 

Abaqus/Standard® [24] input deck (.inp) and thus simplifies quick modifications in specimen 

dimensions and mesh size. The specimen dimensions and prescribed displacements as well as 

material data, ply orientation, and stacking sequence are provided by the user in a simple data file 

that is read by the routine at the beginning of the execution. The user can input up to 100 sections of 

arbitrary length in the y-direction, as shown in Figure B1, where an example with 15 sections in the 

y-direction is shown. Please note that in the coordinate system used, x is the through-thickness 

direction and y is in length direction. For a three-dimensional problem, z is the width direction. The 

number of sections in the x and z-direction currently remain hard-coded and limited to three, 

however, the number of elements in all sections may be selected freely by the user. Thus, a 

multitude of zones along the length (y-direction) and through the thickness (x-direction) may be 

defined as shown in Figures B1 and B2. The user can assign arbitrary material properties (up to 

100) and orientations (up to 9) to each of the zones. The zones extend across the width (z-direction) 

as shown in Figure B2 for a three-dimensional model. The functions of the main program and the 

subroutines are briefly described in the following paragraphs together with the data input required 

from the user. An example data input file (mesh_input.data) and a shortened 

Abaqus/Standard® input deck (s_multi_gaps_linear.inp) are provided in the following 

sections.

Main Program (JOINTMESH)

The main program reads the input data from the file mesh_input.data, checks the validity of 

this data and makes the calls to the appropriate subroutines. As output, a file is created -

qus/Standard® format which contains the nodal point coordinates, the element connectivity, material 

data as well as load and boundary condtions. The file can be used as input directly for a finite 

element analysis in Abaqus/Standard® [24].

Data Input

The data input file mesh_input.data is the only user required input. All variables which are 

necessary to generate the finite element model including the external loading, the boundary 

conditions and the material data are defined here. 

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional informational output to the screen during model 

generation

• htext: problem name header, max. 60 characters

• utext: unit header, max. 60 characters

• abtext: name of output file to which model data will be written, max. 20 characters

• eltype: type of element used in the FE-model, max. eight characters

• two dimensional four-node element in Abaqus/Standard® [24] 

• Abaqus/Standard® (plane-strain): CPE4, CPE4I, CPE4H, CPE4R, CPE4RH, 

CPEIH

• Abaqus/Standard® (plane-stress): CPS4, CPS4I, CPS4R

• two dimensional eight-node element

41
• Abaqus/Standard® (plane-strain): CPE8, CPE8R, CPE8H, CPE8RH

• Abaqus/Standard® (plane-stress): CPS8, CPS8R

• three dimensional eight-node brick element

• Abaqus/Standard®: C3D8, C3D8H, C3D8I, C3D8IH, C3D8R, C3D8RH

• three dimensional twenty-node element

• Abaqus/Standard®: C3D20, C3D20H, C3D20R, C3D20RH

• n: number of y- segments as shown in Figures B1 (15 here - max. 100)

• YC(N): array defining length (y) segments of specimen as shown in Figure B1 

• NY(N): array defining number of elements in corresponding length segment

• XB(3): array defining thickness (x) segments of specimen as shown in Figure B1 

• NX(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• ZA(3): array defining width (z) segments of specimen as shown in Figure B2 

• NZ(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding width segment

• nxyst(3): array defining the start values for element zones

• nxyend(3): array defining the end values for element zones

• zst(3): array defining start values for z

• yst(3): array defining start values for y

• xst(3): array defining start values for x

• with the input up to this point, the mesh is generated and the element sets in Abaqus/Standard®

are defined as shown in Figure B2b.

• matnum: number of materials in the model (a maximum of 100 materials can be 

defined using the following lines) 

• the following block of input has to be repeated matnum times (once for each material defined 

in the model) 

• mtext: material name. If the user chooses a value matnum>100 to act as a switch, a 

single line with the name of a file needs to be provided here which will be included in 

the Abaqus/Standard input file abtext. This file has to be a Abaqus/Standard input file

.inp and contain all the necessary data to define a material, orientations and element 

sections.

• naniso: switch to determine material type

naniso=0: isotropic material, two values E and ν expected (ianiso=2) 

naniso=1: 2D laminate properties, four values expected (ianiso=4) 

naniso=2: engineering constants, nine values expected (ianiso=9) 

naniso=3: orthotropic material, nine values expected (ianiso=9) 

naniso=4: anisotropic material, 21 values expected (ianiso=21) 

• matdat(ianiso): material data, max. 21 values according to Abaqus/Standard®

[24].

• alpha(3): coefficients of thermal expansion for the material

• beta(3): coefficients of moisture expansion for the material

• no: number of orientations for the material (maximum 9)

• the following block of input is repeated for each material

• sys(6): orientation of the material's x' and y' direction

42
• nrot: axis about which the material layers are rotated

• orient(no): array containing angles of rotation defined for each material layer, 

max. 9 values

• This ends the input for materials. If the user chooses a value matnum>100 to act as a switch, a 

single line with the name of a file needs to be provided here which will be included in the 

Abaqus/Standard® input file abtext. This file has to be a Abaqus/Standard® input file .inp

and contain all the necessary data to define a material, orientations and element sections.

• the following line of input has to be repeated nelx=nx(1)+nx(2)+nx(3)-times for each 

element layer in the x-direction 

• mzone(n): array/line with n-values containing the material number and orientation 

number for each material zone in the model (e.g. 41 is material 4 with orientation 1; 10 

is material 1 with orientation 0)

• thickn: thickness value for 2D type elements

• nonlin: switch to perform non-linear analysis in Abaqus/Standard® for nonlin=1

• itnum: Abaqus/Standard®: maximum number of iterations

• r(4): Abaqus/Standard®: increment values

• nhtl(3): switch to activate analysis for mechanical, temperature and moisture loads

• htl(5): hygrothermal and mechanical load input

 initial temperature condition (Abaqus/Standard® input shown in Figure B3b)

 current temperature (Abaqus/Standard® input shown in Figure B3b)

 initial moisture condition (Abaqus/Standard® input shown in Figure B3c)

 current moisture condition (Abaqus/Standard® input shown in Figure B3c)

 applied displacement (Abaqus/Standard® input shown in Figure B3a)

An example file is provided in the next section.

Subroutine abelem

This subroutine is used to convert the element names used in Abaqus/Standard® to internally used 

generic type numbers. 

call abelem(eltype,nelpt,midnode,ntype,nwrite) 

• Input:

• eltype: element name or type in finite element code (maximum eight characters)

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional informational output to the screen during model 

generation 

• Output:

• ntype: internal element number

• 204: two dimensional four-node element

• 208: two dimensional eight-node element

• 308: three dimensional eight-node element

• 320: three dimensional twenty-node element

• nelpt: number of nodes in this element as stored by the finite element code

• midnode: for elements containing midside nodes midnode=2

43
Subroutine header

This subroutine writes the header line to the Abaqus/Standard® input file (abtext).

call header(ifecode,htext,utext,iunit)

• Input

• ifecode: switch to determine which FE code will be used (this option is currently 

not used; ifecode=1 hard-coded for Abaqus/Standard®)

• htext: problem name header, max. 60 characters

• utext: unit header, max. 60 characters

• iunit: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

Subroutine genpco

This subroutine computes the nodal point coordinates for a three dimensional rectangular mesh in 

space. The *NODE keyword and the nodal point coordinates are written to the Abaqus/Standard®

input file (abtext).

call genpco(XB,YC,NX,NY,M,XST,YST,IUNIT,N,ZA, 

NZ,ZST,midnode,ifecode,nwrite,ntype)

• Input

• XB(3): array defining thickness (x) segments of specimen 

• YC(5): array defining length (y) segments of specimen 

• NX(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• NY(5): array defining number of elements in corresponding length segment

• M: size of array XB(M), XST(M),YST(M),NX(M)

• XST(3): start value

• YST(3): start value

• IUNIT: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

• N: size of array yc(n), ny(n)

• ZA(3): array defining width (z) segments of specimen 

• NZ(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding width segment

• ZST(3): start value

• midnode: for elements containing midside nodes midnode=2

• ifecode: switch to determine which FE code will be used (this option is 

currently not used; ifecode=1 hard-coded for Abaqus/Standard®)

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional output

• ntype: internal element number

44
Subroutine net2d

This subroutine creates the finite element mesh by assigning nodal point numbers to a rectangular 

mesh consisting of four or eight-node 2D elements. The *ELEMENT keyword and the element 

connectivity are written to the Abaqus/Standard® input file (abtext).

call net2d(NX,NY,M,N,IUNIT,ELNOD,NELPT,nxyst, nxyend, midnode, 

ntype, eltype,ifecode,nwrite))

• Input

• NX(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• NY(5): array defining number of elements in corresponding length segment

• M: size of array xb(m), xst(m),yst(m),nx(m)

• N: size of array yc(n), ny(n) 

• IUNIT: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

• ELNOD: array of element topology

• NELPT: number of nodal points in element, size of array elnod

• nxyst(3): array defining the start values for element zones

• nxyend(3): array defining the end values for element zones

• midnode: for elements containing midside nodes midnode=2

• ntype: internal element number

• eltype: type of element used in the FE-model, max. Eight characters

• ifecode: ifecode: switch to determine which FE code will be used (this 

option is currently not used; ifecode=1 hard-coded for Abaqus/Standard®)

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional output

Subroutine net3d

This subroutine creates the finite element mesh by assigning nodal point numbers to a rectangular 

mesh consisting of eight or twenty-node 3D brick elements. The *ELEMENT keyword and the 

element connectivity are written to the Abaqus/Standard® input file (abtext).

call net3d(NX,NY,NZ,M,N,IUNIT,ELNOD,NELPT,nxyst,nxyend 

midnode,ntype,eltype,ifecode,nwrite)

• Input

• NX(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• NY(5): array defining number of elements in corresponding length segment

• NZ(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding width segment

• M: size of array xb(m), xst(m),yst(m),nx(m)

• N: size of array yc(n), ny(n) 

• IUNIT: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

• ELNOD: array of element topology

45
• NELPT: number of nodal points in element, size of array elnod

• nxyst(3): array defining the start values for element zones

• nxyend(3): array defining the end values for element zones

• midnode: for elements containing midside nodes midnode=2

• ntype: internal element number

• eltype: type of element used in the FE-model, max. Eight characters

• ifecode: ifecode: switch to determine which FE code will be used (this 

option is currently not used; ifecode=1 hard-coded for Abaqus/Standard®)

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional output

Subroutine material

This subroutine writes the material data *MATERIAL, *ELASTIC ... or

*INCLUDE=matfile keywords to the Abaqus/Standard® input file (abtext). The 

*ORIENTATION as well as *SOLID SECTION keywords are also written to the 

Abaqus/Standard® input file.

call material(naniso,matdat,sys,nrot,orient,mm,nx,m,thickn, 

iunit,ntype,matfile,alpha,beta,mx,matnum,no,mzone,mtext,nn,N)

• Input

• naniso: switch to determine material type

• matdat: material data

• sys(6): orientation of the material's x' and y' direction

• nrot: axis about which the material layers are rotated

• orient(20): array containing the angles of rotation of each material layer, max. 

20 values

• mm: number of layers or orientations

• nx(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• m: size of array xb(m), xst(m),yst(m),nx(m)

• thickn: element thickness for 2D analysis

• iunit: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

• ntype: internal element number

• matfile: file name where Abaqus/Standard® material data are stored (for naniso=4), 

max. 20 characters

• alpha(3): coefficients of thermal expansion

• beta(3):coefficients of moisture expansion

• mx: length of material array

• matnum: number of materials used

• no: number orientations defined for a material

• mzone(n): array/line with n-values containing the material number and 

orientation number for each material zone in the model

46
• mtext: material name

• nn: maximum size of array yc(n), ny(n). Hard-coded n=100 

• N: actual size of array yc(n), ny(n) 

Subroutine abhist

This subroutine sets up the Abaqus/Standard® “history” part of the input file (abtext).

The *STEP, *END STEP as well as *STATIC keywords are written to the input file together 

with keywords that specify the hygro-thermal and mechanical loads. Keywords that specify the 

requested output are also written to the input file.

call abhist(NX,NY,NZ,ZA,M,N,R,NFRD,IUNIT,nonlin,htl, 

nodef,itnum,ntype,midnode,ifecode,nwrite,nhtl) 

• Input

• NX(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding thickness segment

• NY(5): array defining number of elements in corresponding length segment

• NZ(3): array defining number of elements in corresponding width segment

• ZA(3): array defining width (z) segments of specimen 

• M: size of array xb(m), xst(m),yst(m),nx(m)

• N: size of array yc(n), ny(n)

• R(4): Abaqus/Standard®: increment values

• NFRD: number of degrees of freedom

• IUNIT: fortran unit number to be supplied by the user (this option is currently not 

used; iunit=50 hard-coded).

• nonlin: switch to non-linear analysis for nonlin=1

• htl(5): hygrothermal and mechanical load input

• nodef: array

• itnum: Abaqus/Standard®: maximum number of iterations

• ntype: internal element number

• midnode: for elements containing midside nodes midnode=2

• ifecode: switch to determine which FE code will be used

• nwrite: switch to obtain additional output

• nhtl(3): switch to activate analysis for mechanical, temperature and moisture loads. 

47
Example user input file: mesh_input.data

This example file refers to the problem shown in Figure B1. The input shown is for generating a 

model that contains 15 y-segments (N=15) and a total of 28 element layers (NX(3)=(2, 24, 

2)) across the thickness (x-direction). Four materials are defined for this example (MATNUM=4). 

Three material definitions are used to define the 0°, ±45° and 90° orientations of the IM-7/8552 tape 

and one material for the 8552 resin. For the definition of the IM-7/8552 tape plies, laminate

properties are supplied (NANISO=1). The 8552 resin material is isotropic (NANISO=0). Only 

for the IM-7/8552 tape plies, one orientation each has been defined (no=1). For each of the 28 

element layers across the thickness (x-direction), input is provided to assign a material and 

orientation to each of the y-segements along the length. The first digit represents the material and 

the second digit the orientation. Therefore, 31 denotes that material data from material 3 

(IM7/8552) and orientation 1 (±45°) are assigned to that particular section. Since material 4 (8552 

resin) is isotropic, no orientations have been assigned, and the sequence 40 is used. 

'NWRITE: WRITE SWITCH FOR OUTPUT COMMENT' 3

'HEADER-TEXT: max 60 characters' 'section - delta=6.35 mm, c=2.54 mm, multi gaps' 

'UNIT-TEXT: max 60 characters' 'units: mm, N, MPa' 

'name of output file max 20 characters' 's_multi_gaps_linear.inp'

'Element Type C3D20,CPE4, etc' 'CPS8' 

'N: number of Y-SEGMENTS' 15

'YC: LENGTH of Y-SEGMENTS' 14.605 2.54 6.35 2.54 3.81 2.54 2.54 6.35 

2.54 2.54 3.81 2.54 6.35 2.54 14.605

'NY: NUMBER OF ELEMENTS IN Y-SEGMENTS' 146 25 63 25 144 96 96 240 96 96 144 25 

63 25 146

'XB: length of x-segments' 0.3 0.6 0.3

'NX: NUMBER OF ELEMENTS IN X-SEGMENTS' 2 24 2

'ZA: LENGTH of z-segments' 5.0 15.4 5.0 

'NZ: NUMBER OF ELEMENTS IN Z-SEGMENTS' 10 15 10

'NXYST: first y-segment with elements' 1 1 1

'NXYEND: last y-segment with elements' 15 15 15

'ZST: start value' 0. 0. 0. 

'YST: start value' 76.2 0. 0. 

'XST: start value' 0. 0. 0. 

'MATNUM: number of materials in the model' 4

'material name' 'IM7/8552-0'

'NANISO: =0:iso,=1:lam,=2eng,=3:ort,=4:ani' 1

'Material Input E11, ... max. 21 values' 160523. 14386. 0.467 5171. 

'alpha: coefficients of thermal expansion' -9.E-7 2.88E-5 2.88E-5 

'beta: coefficients of moisture expansion' 0. 3310.E-6 3310.E-6 

'number of orientations' 1

'SYS: material system, 6 values' 0.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0

'nrot: axis about which material is rotated' 3

'orient: orientation of material in layers' 0. 

'material name' 'IM7/8552-90'

'NANISO: =0:iso,=1:lam,=2eng,=3:ort,=4:ani' 1

'Material Input E11, ... max. 21 values' 9809. 12422. 0.461 3923. 

'alpha: coefficients of thermal expansion' 2.88E-5 2.88E-5 -9.E-7 

'beta: coefficients of moisture expansion' 3310.E-6 3310.E-6 0.

'number of orientations' 1

'SYS: material system, 6 values' 0.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0

'nrot: axis about which material is rotated' 3

'orient: orientation of material in layers' 0. 

'material name' 'IM7/8552-45'

'NANISO: =0:iso,=1:lam,=2eng,=3:ort,=4:ani' 1

'Material Input E11, ... max. 21 values' 32381. 13810. 0.464 4547. 

'alpha: coefficients of thermal expansion' 1.39E-5 2.88E-5 1.39E-5 

'beta: coefficients of moisture expansion' 1655.E-6 3310.E-6 1655.E-6 

'number of orientations' 1

'SYS: material system, 6 values' 0.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0

'nrot: axis about which material is rotated' 3

48
'orient: orientation of material in layers' 0. 

'material name' 'R8552'

'NANISO: =0:iso,=1:lam,=2eng,=3:ort,=4:ani' 0

'Material Input E11, ... max. 21 values' 11380. 0.3

'alpha: coefficients of thermal expansion' 2.88E-5 

'beta: coefficients of moisture expansion' 3310.E-6 

'number of orientations' 0

'material zones x(1)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(2)' 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 40 21

'material zones x(3)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(4)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(5)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(6)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(7)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(8)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 31 31 31

'material zones x(9)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(10)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(11)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(12)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(13)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(14)' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 

'material zones x(15)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(16)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(17)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(18)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(19)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(20)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 40 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

'material zones x(21)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(22)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(23)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(24)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(25)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(26)' 21 21 21 40 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'material zones x(27)' 31 40 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 

'material zones x(28)' 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31

'thickness for 2d elements, specimen width' 25.4

'NONLIN: =1 for non-linear analysis' 0 

'itnum: maximum numer of iterations' 500

'R: 4 increment values' 0.1 1. 0.001 1. 

'nhtl: mechanical, temp, hygro - on(1),off(0)' 1 0 0

'htl: intl cond, temp, intl cond, hygro, disp' 450. 293. 0. 1.0 0.762

Example Abaqus/Standard® input file: s_multi_gaps_linear.inp

The FORTRAN routine Jointmesh discussed above generates Abaqus/Standard® input file (.inp) 

which can be used directly to perform a finite element analysis in Abaqus/Standard®. It is assumed 

that the reader is familiar with Abaqus/Standard® and the syntax used in the input file. The 

example input file is given to provide an overview of an entire analysis and assist the readers in 

creating their own analyses. 

*HEADING

section - delta=6.35 mm, c=2.54 mm, multi gaps 

units: mm, N, MPa 

*NODE, NSET=NALL

 1 , 0.0000000E+00 , 76.20000 , 0.0000000E+00

 2 , 7.5000003E-02 , 76.20000 , 0.0000000E+00

 3 , 0.1500000 , 76.20000 , 0.0000000E+00

...

*NSET, NSET=NFORCE, GENERATE

 1 , 57 , 1

*NSET, NSET=NBOUNDL, GENERATE

 1 , 57 , 1

*NSET, NSET=NBOUNDR, GENERATE

 163021 , 163077 , 1

*ELEMENT, TYPE=CPS8 , ELSET=EALL

 1 , 1 , 115 , 117 , 3 ,

 58 , 116 , 60 , 2

49
 2 , 115 , 229 , 231 , 117 ,

 172 , 230 , 174 , 116

...

...

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01, GENERATE

 1 , 1430 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-01, GENERATE

 1 , 146 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-02, GENERATE

 147 , 171 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-03, GENERATE

 172 , 234 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-04, GENERATE

 235 , 259 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-05, GENERATE

 260 , 403 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-06, GENERATE

 404 , 499 , 1 

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-07, GENERATE

 500 , 595 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-08, GENERATE

 596 , 835 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-09, GENERATE

 836 , 931 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-10, GENERATE

 932 , 1027 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-11, GENERATE

 1028 , 1171 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-12, GENERATE

 1172 , 1196 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-13, GENERATE

 1197 , 1259 , 1 

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-14, GENERATE

 1260 , 1284 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY01-15, GENERATE

 1285 , 1430 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02, GENERATE

 1431 , 2860 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-01, GENERATE

 1431 , 1576 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-02, GENERATE

 1577 , 1601 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-03, GENERATE

 1602 , 1664 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-04, GENERATE

 1665 , 1689 , 1 

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-05, GENERATE

 1690 , 1833 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-06, GENERATE

 1834 , 1929 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-07, GENERATE

 1930 , 2025 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-08, GENERATE

 2026 , 2265 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-09, GENERATE

 2266 , 2361 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-10, GENERATE

 2362 , 2457 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-11, GENERATE

 2458 , 2601 , 1 

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-12, GENERATE

 2602 , 2626 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-13, GENERATE

 2627 , 2689 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-14, GENERATE

 2690 , 2714 , 1

*ELSET, ELSET=LY02-15, GENERATE

 2715 , 2860 , 1

...

...

*ELSET, ELSET=LY28-15, GENERATE

50
 39895 , 40040 , 1

*BOUNDARY

NBOUNDR, 1, 2

NBOUNDL, 1, 1

*Initial Conditions, type=TEMPERATURE

NALL, 450.00000

*Initial conditions, type=field, variable=1

NALL, 0.00000

*MATERIAL, NAME=IM7/8552-0 

*ELASTIC, TYPE=LAMINA

0.16052E+06, 14386. , 0.46700 , 5171.0 ,

*Expansion, type=ortho

 -8.9999997E-07 , 2.8799999E-05 , 2.8799999E-05

*Expansion, type=ortho, field=1

 0.0000000E+00 , 3.3100001E-03 , 3.3100001E-03

*ORIENTATION, NAME=LY0011, SYSTEM=RECTANGULAR, DEFINITION=COORDINATES

 0.0000 ,-1.00000 , 0.0000 , 1.00000 , 0.0000 , 0.0000 ,

3, 0.000

*MATERIAL, NAME=IM7/8552-90 

*ELASTIC, TYPE=LAMINA

 9809.0 , 12422. , 0.46100 , 3923.0 ,

*Expansion, type=ortho

 2.8799999E-05 , 2.8799999E-05 , -8.9999997E-07

*Expansion, type=ortho, field=1

 3.3100001E-03 , 3.3100001E-03 , 0.0000000E+00

*ORIENTATION, NAME=LY0021, SYSTEM=RECTANGULAR, DEFINITION=COORDINATES

 0.0000 ,-1.00000 , 0.0000 , 1.00000 , 0.0000 , 0.0000 ,

3, 0.000

*MATERIAL, NAME=IM7/8552-45 

*ELASTIC, TYPE=LAMINA

 32381. , 13810. , 0.46400 , 4547.0 ,

*Expansion, type=ortho

 1.3900000E-05 , 2.8799999E-05 , 1.3900000E-05

*Expansion, type=ortho, field=1

 1.6550000E-03 , 3.3100001E-03 , 1.6550000E-03

*ORIENTATION, NAME=LY0031, SYSTEM=RECTANGULAR, DEFINITION=COORDINATES

 0.0000 ,-1.00000 , 0.0000 , 1.00000 , 0.0000 , 0.0000 ,

3, 0.000

*MATERIAL, NAME=R8552 

*ELASTIC, TYPE=ISOTROPIC

 11380.00 , 0.3000000 

*Expansion, type=iso

 2.8799999E-05

*Expansion, type=iso, field=1

 3.3100001E-03

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-01, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-02, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-03, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-04, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-05, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-06, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-07, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-08, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-09, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-10, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-11, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-12, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-13, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

51
*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-14, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY01-15, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-01, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-02, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-03, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-04, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-05, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-06, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-07, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-08, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-09, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-10, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-11, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-12, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-13, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-14, MATERIAL=R8552 

 25.40000 , 

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY02-15, ORIENTATION=LY0021, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-90 

 25.40000 ,

...

...

*SOLID SECTION, ELSET=LY28-15, ORIENTATION=LY0031, MATERIAL=IM7/8552-45 

 25.40000 ,

*STEP

*STATIC

1.0000, 1.0000,

*BOUNDARY

NFORCE, 2, 2, 0.76200

*OUTPUT, FIELD, VARIABLE=PRESELECT, FREQ=1

*ELEMENT OUTPUT, ELSET=EALL

TEMP, FV1

*Output, history,VARIABLE=PRESELECT,freq=1

*NODE output,NSET=NBOUNDR

RF2

*NODE output,NSET=NFORCE

RF2

*NODE output,NSET=NBOUNDR

U2

*NODE output,NSET=NFORCE

U2

*END STEP

52
u=const.

YC(1)=

14.605 mm

NY=146

YC(2)=

2.54 mm

NY= 25

YC(4)=

2.54 mm

NY=25

YC(8)=

6.35 mm 

NY= 240

YC(7)=

2.54 mm

NY=96

δ

c c

YC(3)=

6.35 mm

NY=63

YC(5)=

3.81

NY=144

YC(6)=

2.54

NY=96

YC(9)=

2.54 mm

NY=96

YC(12)=

2.54 mm

NY=25

YC(14)=

2.54 mm

NY=25

YC(13)=

6.35 mm 

NY= 63

Y

14

N

YC(11)

=3.81

NY=

144

YC(10)

=2.54

NY= 96

θ1= 45° (1)

θ2= 90° (2)

θ3=-45° (3-8)

θ4= 0°/gap/-45° (9-14)

θ5=-45°/gap/0° (15-20)

θ6=-45° (21-26)

θ7= 90° (27)

θ8= 45° (28)

3δ=76.2 mm

δ=25.4 mm

c=2.54 mm

3δ=76.2 mm

Figure B1. Example of input to user data file mesh_input.data.

dimensions not to scale

y,v

53
YC(1)

Figure B2. Example of a three-dimensional model with element sets to define 

material properties.

b. Detail of local zones.

ZA (1)

a. Finite element mesh.

y,u2

x,u1

z,u3

YC(2)

YC(14)

YC(15)

ZA (2)

ZA (3)

XB (1)

XB (2)

XB (3)

ELSET=LY01-03

ELSET=LY07-03

ELSET=LY07-02

ELSET=LY01-04

ELSET=LY01-05

ELSET=LY07-11

54
Figure B3. Abaqus input generated for load and boundary conditions.

x,u,1

y,v,2

a. Boundary conditions and mechanical load at node sets.

u=const

v=0

b. Thermal load defined as field.

c. Moisture load defined as field.

ΔT=157K=const.

difference between cure and room temperature

c=0.01 (1% mass/weight)=saturation

moisture diffusion through the thickness of the 

specimen not computed at this point

boundary conditions chosen to simulate test specimen in grips

u=0

v=0

*BOUNDARY

NBOUNDR, 1, 2

NBOUNDL, 1, 1

...

...

*BOUNDARY

NFORCE, 2, 2, 0.10000

*NSET, NSET=NFORCE

*NSET, NSET=NBOUNDL *NSET, NSET=NBOUNDR

*Initial Conditions, type=TEMPERATURE

NALL, 450.00000

...

*Temperature

NALL, 293.00000

*Initial conditions, type=field, variable=1

NALL, 0.00000

...

*field, variable=1

NALL, 0.01000

x,u,1

y,v,2

x,u,1

y,v,2

55
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved

OMB No. 0704-0188

2. REPORT TYPE 

Contractor Report

 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Finite Element Analysis of Composite Joint Configurations With Gaps and 

Overlaps

5a. CONTRACT NUMBER

NNL09AA00A

 6. AUTHOR(S)

Krueger, Ronald

 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

NASA Langley Research Center

Hampton, VA 23681-2199

 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

 REPORT NUMBER

NIA Report No. 2014-0619

10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S)

NASA

13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Langley Technical Monitor: Jonathan B. Ransom

12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Unclassified - Unlimited

Subject Category 24

Availability: NASA CASI (443) 757-5802

19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON

STI Help Desk (email: help@sti.nasa.gov)

14. ABSTRACT

The goal of the current study is to identify scenarios for which thermal and moisture effects become significant in the loading

of a composite structure. In the current work, a simple configuration was defined, and material properties were selected. A 

Fortran routine was created to automate the mesh generation process. The routine was used to create the models for the initial 

mesh refinement study. A combination of element length and width suitable for further studies was identified. Also, the effect 

of the overlap length and gap length on computed shear and through-thickness stresses along the bondline of the joints was 

studied for the mechanical load case. Further, the influence of neighboring gaps and overlaps on these joint stresses was 

studied and was found to be negligible. The results suggest that for an initial study it is sufficient to focus on one configuration 

with fixed overlap and gap lengths to study the effects of mechanical, thermal and moisture loading and combinations thereof 

on computed joint stresses. 

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Composites; Finite element analysis; Joints; Ply overlaps

18. NUMBER

 OF 

 PAGES

60

19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code)

(443) 757-5802

a. REPORT

U

c. THIS PAGE

U

b. ABSTRACT

U

17. LIMITATION OF 

 ABSTRACT

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Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98)

3. DATES COVERED (From - To)

5b. GRANT NUMBER

5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER

5d. PROJECT NUMBER

5e. TASK NUMBER

5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER

031102.02.07.05.9D67.13

11. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT

 NUMBER(S)

NASA/CR-2014-218284

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PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)

01- 06 - 2014